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Listeria Fear Behind Recall

No illnesses have been associated with a new recall of ready-to-eat meats for Listeria contamination that is certain to get a lot of attention in Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Zadi Foods Ltd. are warning the public not to consume various processed meat products made by the Ontario company because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Two years ago, 22 mostly elderly Canadians died in a national Listeria outbreak linked to a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto.

This new alert includes 23 meat and cheese packages.

Here is a list of the recalled products, with Uniform Product Codes and product names. All are for all lots and all dates except where Best Buy dates are provided:

CFIA says some of these products would have been sold to consumers at deli counters. However, the original brand and/or best before dates may not have been transferred at the deli counters to consumer packages. Persons who may have purchased these products and do not know original brand and code are advised to check with their retailer or supplier to determine if they have the affected product.

These products have been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

The manufacturer, Zadi Foods Ltd., Brampton, ON is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers: Vincenzo DiBattisia, President, Zadi Foods Ltd. at 1-905-799-6666 x 5234. CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).